Mistletoe, the parasitic plant is a peculiar plant. Its roots sink into the branches and trunks of other trees, instead of into the soil. The seeds need sunlight to germinate, unlike most other plants that need darkness. The leaves produce chlorophyll even in the darkness, unlike other plants that turn yellowish when there is no light.

Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that does not die easily. As a parasite, mistletoe is a disease on other plants which makes farmers to dread the plant. Mistletoe produces toxic berries, which are eaten by birds that spread them to other trees. Being gelatinous, the seeds stick easily to the trees and so germinate there.

Mistletoe, Viscum Album belongs to the Lorantaceace family of plants. The leaves contain choline and acetylcholine, which act directly on the autonomic nervous system. The berries contain alkaloids and toxic substances. For this reason, we advise against any form of internal application of the berries.

How to preserve mistletoe

Collect fresh leaves from the tree. The best time to collect mistletoe in tropical country like Nigeria is between 12noon and 1pm. As soon as you collect the leaves, rinse them in water, and then spread them out on a mat or zinc in an airy place. Do not expose the leaves to direct sunlight for more than one day. This is generally true of all herbs. It is always better to dry fresh leaves in a shady but airy place. It takes seven to 10 days for mistletoe to be properly dried. As the leaves get dried they tend to turn dark in colour. Indeed, mistletoe is a very peculiar plant.

Kinds of mistletoe

The mistletoe on guava, kolanut, cocoa and trees of the citrus family are the most potent kinds of mistletoe. All other are also good but may not be as effective as the ones mentioned above. For the treatments of cancer, the mistletoe of guava is the best, This is because it contains the highest concentration of lectins, a kind of proteins that science has discovered to destroy cancerous tumors and cells. It is the mistletoe on guava that actually cures cancer. This important piece of information is known to some herbalists who keep it close to their chest. I give it here so that humanity may profit from it. For the treatment of cancer, then, I recommend the mistletoe of guava trees. For the treatment of hypertension, nervousness and insomnia, I recommend the mistletoe on kolanut and the citrus trees. The mistletoe on cocoa is best for diabetes. However, these are observations based on practical experience rather than on orthodox scientific research, unlike in the case of guava. I invite our scientists to verify these observations. For all other forms of illness, mistletoe on any edible fruit would help.

Methods of preparing misltletoe

Method one: Infusion

Soak three dessertspoons of dried and powdered leaves into a cup of hot water. Allow it to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. You may add honey if you wish. Do this two times daily.

Method two: cold extract

Soak two handfuls of the fresh or dried leaves in one cup of cold water for eight hours or simply overnight. The following day add one cup of hot water to it. Sieve and store in a flask. Drink one cup in the morning and one cup in the night. Mistletoe is well known for the treatment of the following diseases:

Hypertension

Mistletoe not only lowers blood sugar but also helps to repair the pancreas and other diseased organs in the body. Mistletoe is one of the most effective herbs for hypertension. No matter how serious or chronic the case maybe, mistletoe always makes a difference. Follow the method one or two as described above.

Heart problems

Mistletoe is an excellent herb for the circulatory system. It promotes flow of the blood to the brain and heart, especially in those suffering from coronary arteries and angina pectoris. Mistletoe is the safest herb for heart problems. In treating patients with heart problems, great care must be taken to take the correct herbs or drugs, since any minor mistake could be fatal. With mistletoe, there is nothing to fear because its efficacy has been proved and confirmed. Follow method one or two as described above for three months.

Insomnia

Mistletoe relaxes muscles, calms the nerves, eases palpitations, migraine, nervousness and pains. Those who suffer from epilepsy will find mistletoe very helpful as it protects against attacks.

Arthritis

Mistletoe increases the production of urine and the elimination of toxic wastes from the system. Those who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism and gout have testified to the efficacy of mistletoe. Where other herbs have failed, mistletoe has proved to be a saviour. Eternal application of mistletoe is recommended in cases of arthritis, rheumatism and gout. Soak three handfuls of dried of fresh leaves in a bottle of water for two days. Steep a napkin in the solution and place it on the painful, swollen or inflamed joints. This brings a quick relief.

Infertility

For infertility problems of various forms, mistletoe has proved highly effective. Drinking two cups of mistletoe daily will correct gynecological problems such as excessive menstruation, painful menstruation, irregular menstruation, anovulation, Amenorrhea and uterine hemorrhage. For fibroids, drink three cups of mistletoe daily for six months. For this I recommend the mistletoe on Guava. I know a lot of women who were faithful to this medication and patient enough to complete the six months therapy. Today they are not only free of fibroids, but are enjoying a new lease of life, for mistletoe rejuvenates.

Cancer

Herbalists have been using mistletoe for the treatment of cancer long before modern science did any research on it. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in Nigeria. Many women have fallen victims of this ailment. Radiotheraphy, chemotherapy or breast excision is temporal remedies-they do not cure the sickness. Mistletoe is there to offer hope to all cancer patients.

However, managing cancer with mistletoe is a long term affair. We must get rid of our modern day mentality that wants immediate solution to every problem. Recovery is a slow process. Herbs work slowly but more steadily and surely. For the treatment of cancer, soak three handfuls of dried mistletoe leaves in one beer bottle of water OVERNIGHT. The following day, add half bottle of hot water. This gives you one and a half bottles of solution. Drink one glass, four times daily. Continue this for at least six months, even though you would feel healthy after two months of medication. Don’t be carried away. Follow the given prescription.

Diabetes

I do not want to go into the issue of whether diabetes is curable or not. That is no longer an important issue. The important question today is: what is the most effective plant for treating diabetes? I stand to affirm that mistletoe is among the most effective herbs for diabetes. I know of many diabetics who have never taken western drugs for the past five years but depend solely on mistletoe. Many of them simply drink a cup of mistletoe solution once a week. In serious cases of diabetes, I recommend the same dose as for cancer above for six weeks, after that follow either method one or two of preparation and continue for five months.

General health

Mistletoe is not meant for the sick alone. It is also recommended for those who wish to remain healthy. Drinking a cup of mistletoe tea daily will ensure protection against diabetes, malaria, typhoid, migraine, hypertension, pneumonia and all sorts of physical ailments.

As an anti-malaria, mistletoe is your best bet. For this, drink two cups daily. I prescribed this for a middle-aged man four years ago. He used to suffer serious attacks of malaria fever every two weeks. He went to the best hospital around and took the latest drugs in the market, all to no avail. The fever kept coming every two weeks. It got to a stage that all the medical doctors treating him became frustrated and said to him: we are tired of you. Till this moment, this man never suffers a single attack of malaria fever.

Mistletoe is indispensable for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Within one month of mistletoe therapy, one would notice that almost all the symptoms, such as, fever, weakness, dysentery,, and weight loss have been arrested, and the patient can go back to work. Could mistletoe hold the key to unraveling the HIV/ AIDS menace?